Thinking Partner Ecosystems in design and delivery. There is a need to resolve immediate, mid-term, and long-term issues to show progressive thinking on how to grow collaboratively. How to collaborate to deliver impact, and create value when building your thinking in products, services, or new business models on any Partner Ecosystem design and thinking. One methodology stands out for me: the three-horizon framework
Partner ecosystems are highly valuable for delivering on these ambitions. Partner Ecosystems enable you to go beyond addressing immediate and surface-level issues to tackle deeper, systemic challenges and position clients at the forefront of collaborative and co-creative approaches.
In my view, this requires a progressive mindset that considers growth, impact, and value across various time horizons. This mindset lends itself really well to applying the three-horizon methodology.
The concept of three-horizon modelling, which considers short-term resolutions, mid-term growth, and long-term impact and value creation, is particularly relevant in this context.
Immediate Needs / Short-Term Resolutions (Horizon 1):
- Partner ecosystems should address immediate challenges and resolve pressing issues, such as supply chain disruptions, resource shortages, or regulatory changes and compliance.
- However, these short-term solutions should be designed with a broader vision in mind, laying the foundation for more sustainable and scalable approaches in the future.
- The searching for underlying root causes or systemic issues that need to be recognized and addressed later as partner ecosystems can develop short-term solutions that address the immediate problem and lay the foundation for more sustainable and long-term solutions.
- Collaborations within the ecosystem should prioritize knowledge sharing and data transparency, enabling a deeper understanding of the power of openly collaborating and sharing insights,
Mid-term Strategies / Growth (Horizon 2):
- Partner ecosystems should focus on mid-term strategies that enable growth, innovation, and competitive advantage. This involves co-creating new products, services, or business models that leverage the collective expertise and resources of the ecosystem partners.
- Building on the insights from short-term collaborations, partner ecosystems should drive growth and innovation by co-creating new products, services, or business models that significantly increase competitive advantage.
- By extracting and exploiting ecosystem partners’ collective expertise, resources, and diverse perspectives to anticipate and respond to evolving market trends, customer needs, and technological advancements more effectively.
- Mid-term strategies should also consider the potential impact on various stakeholders, including employees, communities, and the environment, ensuring responsible and sustainable growth.
Long-term Vision, Impact and New Value Creation (Horizon 3):
- Partner ecosystems should develop a long-term vision that transcends immediate commercial interests and addresses broader societal and environmental challenges, often contributing to underlying causes.
- Initiatives on this horizon should focus on broader areas of concern and contribution to solving, such as climate change mitigation, social equality, public health, and sustainable development, ultimately contributing to preserving human life and well-being. This involves collaborating with diverse stakeholders, such as academia, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and local communities, to co-create solutions that have a lasting positive impact.
- By co-creating solutions with a positive and lasting impact, partner ecosystems can position themselves as leaders in their respective industries and contribute to creating a better future for all.
Recognize we need to “cut through” different issues over different time horizons
- To truly “cut through the issues” and position clients ahead in their thinking, partner ecosystems must embrace a holistic and progressive approach that addresses immediate needs while simultaneously working towards mid-term strategies and a long-term vision. This requires open communication, trust, and a shared commitment to collaboration and co-creation among all partners.
- By fostering an ecosystem that values growth, impact, and value across different time horizons, organizations can address current challenges, shape the future of their industries, and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world.
The value of the three-horizon approach
By adopting a three-horizon approach, partner ecosystems can simultaneously address immediate needs, drive growth and innovation, and create lasting impact and value. This progressive mindset requires a holistic understanding of the interconnectedness of challenges, a commitment to continuous learning and adaptation, and a shared sense of purpose among all ecosystem partners.
This approach recognizes that tackling systemic challenges requires a long-term perspective and a willingness to embrace complexity. It acknowledges that short-term solutions alone are insufficient and that true transformation necessitates a multi-faceted approach considering various time horizons and stakeholder needs.
The power of this Partner Ecosystem approach is that you recognize that in each time horizon, it considers growth, impact, and value across partner thinking and contributions. It breaks down complexity from the diversity of opinions and ideas. The recognition of cause, effect, and systemic issues catalyze the thinking. They provide this collaborative effect, bringing collective intelligence.
Your time to act is now- why not?
If you are curious to find out more, then let’s make the initial contact.
I have entered into a collaborative partnership with SIA Partners on Partner Ecosystems. Combining expertise, connections, methodologies, capabilities, and client work in advising, mentoring, and consulting is exciting; in offering some genuinely unique IP methodology in concept designs, research, and industry and institution connections, a compelling service offering is emerging. We believe the diversity within the proven application and combined strengths offer much.
The time to engage to discuss what this might mean to different businesses, institutions, and societies requires radically new thinking. Partner Ecosystems can solve complex issues, make a real difference in enhancing lives, and, in many cases, save lives through collaborative efforts.
Why not contact SIA Partners or myself to have an opening discussion? Where we, as your forward-thinking partner, are capable of helping you navigate the intricacies of today’s landscape and being your catalyst for the future in driving transformative change through greater collaboration and co-creation.
Together, we can explore the challenges and possible scenarios that would help you move rapidly forward on your partner ecosystem journey, resolve your challenges and advance your future role in society and the values and impact of what you can offer.
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The Three Horizon Methodology is discussed extensively here